These days, Austin Mahone is in good company thanks to his association with Cash Money. The 17-year-old VMA winner's crew includes the likes of Lil Wayne, Drake, [article id="/1715537"]The Game[/article] and, yes, [article id="1707867"]even Paris Hilton[/article].

For those who don't know, Austin was recently a part of a deal that partners up Chase Records -- where Mahone has a record deal -- with Cash Money Records. Both labels are affiliated with Universal Republic, which plants the "What About Love" singer in the same musical universe as some of his icons.

"It's really cool. ... Cash Money and Universal teamed up to help me and help me grow my career," he told MTV News last Friday when we caught up with him at a Times Square event. "Those guys are just amazing and super nice; very professional. It's really cool to be a part of it."

Mahone has been hanging with Cash Money millionaires for a while now though: whether he was being photographed [article id="1690356"]"chilling" with DJ Khaled[/article] or getting fashionable in his gig as a brand ambassador for Weezy's Trukfit clothing line. Now, in addition to all the great advice he's been getting from folks like Cash Money CEO Birdman, Mahone's hoping one of those guys might just make an appearance on his upcoming [article id="1708856"]debut album[/article].

"You know, [Cash Money] just told me to keep working hard," Austin said. "They keep telling me they believe in me, and it's really cool to hear that from them, 'cause, you know, I've been a fan of them for years and it's really cool to hear that. Plus, they give me encouragement and just tell me big things are coming, they got songs for me, and it's really a lot of fun."

While he'd be down to work with anyone on the A-list roster, there's one artist he holds near and dear: "Probably Drake. He's one of my biggest inspirations for music. He's an amazing artist. He speaks his mind and he keeps it real, so I'd like to do a collaboration with Drake."